YMMV / A Little Bush Maid

• Fair for Its Day: Even though some of the views towards women are out-dated nowadays, at the time Norah was considered notable for being a competent worker on the station, as well as an accepted part of her brother's social circle.
• Values Dissonance:
  • By today's standards, the books are considered racist, classist, and sexist. When the books were publised again in the 1990's a lot of dialogue containing racially offensive comments, particularly in relation to indigenous Australians, was altered or removed altogether.
  • The books upheld the common view of the time that Anglo-Australians were racially superior to Aboriginal Australians (and other races and cultures). This was particularly evident in the earlier books, but began to be increasingly subverted in later novels. Lee Wing, the Linton’s Chinese gardener, is shown increasing respect, demonstrated particularly in Billabong Riders where Rob Flynn, who is initially distrustful of Lee Wing because of his race, comes to enjoy his company and listen to his advice. The writer’s treatment of indigenous characters also becomes kinder by the fifteenth book, although the views expressed would still be considered far from acceptable by today’s standards.
  • In Billabong Riders Jim doesn't want to take Norah and Tommy droving because they are women.